Some residents of the Williams neighborhood said at least 23 railcars derailed from the tracks around 11:30 p.m. Wednesday night and heard a loud crash later in the night. The Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) train appeared to be transporting cars as cargo.

The Coconino County Sheriff’s Deputy responded to the derailment, assisted the BNSF PD and personnel, and confirmed that no one was injured. CCSO spokesman John Paxton said there was no evidence of a hazardous material spill. BNSF said no one was injured in the derailment.

On Thursday morning, BNSF police officers were stationed by the nearest railroad crossing to keep curious passers-by safely off the tracks. The police officer, who could not personally comment on the incident, was one of many who responded to clean up the wreckage. Heavy machinery and cranes were at work all day Tuesday to remove overturned cars.

The Arizona Daily Sun has reached out to BNSF for official comment and will update this article when it responds.

Meanwhile, side-by-side and off-road vehicles swept down Williams’ Pine Tree Drive incessantly, with a single house just feet away from the wrecked vehicle.

Most of those people are neighbors, like Jan Larson, who lives near the tracks but at a safe distance from derailments.

“I heard a lot of strange noises at night, but I’m miles off the road,” she said, showing the wreckage and the house next door nearly being crushed by an overturned train. marveled at.

Further up Pine Tree Drive, the West Branch of Christian Youth Camp Bill Rice Ranch is preparing to welcome campers later this year. Since it opened in 2014, I am used to hearing the sound of trains.

But none of the staff noticed the derailment until they saw the footage on the news this morning.

“Most people didn’t notice until we pointed it out,” said Troy Carlson, head of the Western Camp. Campers often jokingly ask if the train is derailed, especially when it’s noisy, he said, but they never imagined seeing the wreckage right behind the property. It is said that there was not. Over Carlson’s shoulder, he could see a number of overturned cars. Further up the track, one of his orange BNSF engines still stood upright in front of the car.

Carlson said she was glad nothing seemed to burn or spill. So far, the derailment does not appear to have caused any damage to private property.